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title: "Sonja M.P. McCullen | KnowJudges"
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# Sonja M.P. McCullen

Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals · Associate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Associate Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-09

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Associate Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, appointed on October 1, 2021, by Governor David Ige and confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate
- Sworn in as an associate judge of Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals on October 1, 2021

### Education


### Additional information

- She taught social studies, Hawaiian studies, and Hawaiian language at Waiʻanae High School from 1994 to 1999, and also created curricula in Hawaiian culture.
- Of Native Hawaiian ancestry
- Before appointment she spent a combined eleven years as deputy prosecuting attorney in Honolulu’s Appellate Division.
- After earning her law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law she clerked for Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Paula A. Nakayama.
- Particularly influenced by the Ulu Lehua Scholars Program, which supports non-traditional law students
- Other roles included investigator for the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, staff attorney for United Public Workers and judicial education specialist for the Hawaii Judiciary.
- McCullen credits her UH Richardson Law School experience and her teaching career with instilling values of community, collaboration, and the role of law in reflecting societal principles.
- Joseph’s High School in Hilo and taught at Waianae High School after earning her undergraduate degree and professional diploma at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### extended coverage notice

Scope: statewide

Hawaii requires news media to notify a court coordinator before electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding, including audio recording, film, videotape, or still photography.

Evidence excerpt: The news media must notify a court coordinator of their intent to provide any electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding.

[Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### camera microphone placement

Scope: statewide

Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules.

Evidence excerpt: The judge will decide where cameras and microphones can be placed in the courtroom. Judges differ on this - so please ask.

[Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges)
- [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment)
- [Remote Court Hearings via Zoom](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/remote-court-hearings-via-zoom-or-webex)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges)
- [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/associate-judge-sonja-m-p-mccullen)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/appeals/judges)

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